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2 | Harry Potter | The Wiz Kid

HE WAS BORN IN BRITAIN, but he belongs to all of us now, young and old. J.K. Rowling introduced her boy wizard to the world in 1997, and before decade’s end, Harry Potter was a global icon. With his seven-volume saga complete, the tragedy-scarred orphan stands as an inspiring hero for our times. It was thrilling to follow his progression toward maturity—from bewildered yet bedazzled youngster to flawed and angry adolescent to wise, self-sacrificing young man. (Of course, Harry wouldn’t be Harry without the support of best chums Ron and Hermione, the guidance of Professor Dumbledore, and the soul-stirring challenge of villainous Voldemort.) In an interview with EW in 2000, Rowling explained the great theme embodied by Harry and all her characters: “What’s very important for me is when Dumbledore says [in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire] that you have to choose between what is right and what is easy…. What is easy is often not right.”

In 2001, Harry Potter became a cinematic hero as well, played by Daniel Radcliffe in an always winning and ever-deepening performance. The actor, now 20, believes the character’s main legacy is the Potter fan base, “a new generation of incredibly literary nerds, of which I am one!” Still, Radcliffe imagines—half-jokingly—that his contribution to Harry Potter might someday be obsolete. “[The books] will be around for decades to come, which makes me wonder if in 30 years’ time, we will be seeing remakes of all these movies,” he says with a laugh. “I have a very dark suspicion that that will happen, although I don’t particularly want it to!”